FCC Radio Station license fee

[baz]

Subject: FCC Radio Station license fee

Back in 2009 I paid $160 for my FCC Radio Station license. A few days ago I applied for a new license for my new R-27/OB and was charged $220. 🙁 If I read the fine print correctly this license is good for 10 years. So maybe I should not complain too much at being charged $22/yr. Taxes may stay level or may decrease making you feel 'good', but be aware of fee increases.... 😉 😱

When FCC grants this license one can ask in the application to be assigned an MMSI number vs. not having to go to BoatUS to obtain it. The license is not Transferable.

I need this license to provide safety & security and to avoid any customs snafus when boating in Canadian waters.

 

[johnniethek]

Never heard of getting an FCC radio license for a boat...

What does this involve and what are the advantages of it?

Can any others chip in here?

Thnx,

JtK

 

[Lenny and Louise]

We chose to get a station license for our R25SC and will get one on our R31S when it is delivered next month.

A US boat in US waters is not required to have a license. However, Canada and most other nations require a station license -- either issued by that country or by reciprocity with the boat's parent nation, in our case the US. So to be strictly legal in Canada, a US boat would be required to have a (U S)station license and at least one person to have a limited radio operators license.

Why do we bother? It is indeed unlikely that anyone would check. But suppose we are the one boat selected for a random customs inspection as we enter Canada? Suppose someone runs into our boat in Canada and the RCMP responds and asks for all the vessel documentation? We have no idea what the penalties are, and no particular interest in finding out.

The FCC will issue an MMSI with the license if requested. BoatUS will issue one for free. But BoatUS is not a government agency and their numbers are not always listed with foreign governments. When using any distress system linked to your MMSI, your identity will be known by the US Coast Guard with either number. The jury is out on whether Canadian Coast Guard has access to BoatUS numbers. Most other agencies will decipher government issued MMSI, but not those issued by private groups (like BoatUS).

We don't know what merchant vessels can recognize, particularly foreign merchants on the Great Lakes. Nor do we care, since we will have the FCC number.

Others will make other choices, and we have no quibble, but this is what we do.

 

[baz]

I agree 100% with Lenny. 🙂

 

[scross]

If you ever think you might cross an international border do what Lenny did and get the FCC issued licenses and MMSI numbers!

 

[RobMcClain]

Agree with Lenny & Barry. We've cruised US waters on both coasts for years without the need for licenses, but once we decided we wanted to venture into Canadian waters we applied for the appropriate FCC licenses. I know many folks think doing so is silly but I want the peace of mind. I would rather spend the few bucks and know we're legal and viewed as such by officials on both sides of the border. Plus, we now have an international MMSI in the event of any problem while cruising. The FCC application process was pretty quick and simple, and I had the approved license paperwork in hand within 24 hours!

Rob